The relationship between health care, healing, and spirituality is one that forms part of the religio-cultural fabric of the Ghanaian. Before the advent of orthodox medicine within the Ghanaian context, healthcare delivery was administered either by the herbalist (Odunsini) or the indigenous priest (Okomfo). These two healthcare practitioners were said to possess both spiritual and physical knowledge about healthcare delivery. In recent times and with the upsurge of Christianity in Ghana, the “prophets” have taken over these roles, which were once held by these indigenous healers. These “prophets” normally resort to prayers and directions (akwankyerɛ) in administering healing to their congregant. In 2024, a leader of an African indigenous church became popular with the use of hibiscus drink as the “blood of Jesus,” in the healing of people. His method generated a public outcry since some members stopped taking their medicines, relying on the “blood of Jesus,” which led to deaths. In the light of this, this chapter, using the Akan religio-cultural context as its framing, investigates using secondary data reviews/analysis, the difficulties associated with the navigation of religious ignorance and cultural balance in the context of healthcare in Ghana. This chapter argues that most people fall victim due to their inability to navigate between these two contexts due to the religio-cultural notion that every sickness has a spiritual origin.

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Religion, Mental Health, and Spiritual Direction “Akwankyerɛ” in Ghana: Navigating Between “Ignorance” and Cultural Balance

  • Samuel K. B. Nkrumah-Pobi

摘要

The relationship between health care, healing, and spirituality is one that forms part of the religio-cultural fabric of the Ghanaian. Before the advent of orthodox medicine within the Ghanaian context, healthcare delivery was administered either by the herbalist (Odunsini) or the indigenous priest (Okomfo). These two healthcare practitioners were said to possess both spiritual and physical knowledge about healthcare delivery. In recent times and with the upsurge of Christianity in Ghana, the “prophets” have taken over these roles, which were once held by these indigenous healers. These “prophets” normally resort to prayers and directions (akwankyerɛ) in administering healing to their congregant. In 2024, a leader of an African indigenous church became popular with the use of hibiscus drink as the “blood of Jesus,” in the healing of people. His method generated a public outcry since some members stopped taking their medicines, relying on the “blood of Jesus,” which led to deaths. In the light of this, this chapter, using the Akan religio-cultural context as its framing, investigates using secondary data reviews/analysis, the difficulties associated with the navigation of religious ignorance and cultural balance in the context of healthcare in Ghana. This chapter argues that most people fall victim due to their inability to navigate between these two contexts due to the religio-cultural notion that every sickness has a spiritual origin.